Lectures to Professing Christians

Charles G. Finney

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About this book

Finney's New York lectures on justification, sanctification, and the Christian life.

253 Lectures
140,694 words
≈ 1082 min
English

Table of Contents

1tical Lectures," I hope you did not understand me to mean that the lectures would not be 2heart. This always enters into the essence of true faith. When a man's understanding is 3ing action. There is no real obedience but the obedience of the heart; love is the fulfilling of 4to sin is highly criminal. And it is also true that enlightened Christians see in their sins great 5will say, he knows he must die. But I say, while he is in this attitude, he does not actually 67. See what a vast multitude of professors of religion there are who are deceiving 7They feared the Lord, and served their own gods. 2 Kings 17:33.8It is self-evident that if you have not done this, you are not serving God. Suppose a 9pocket, should meet a beggar in great distress, and give him six dollars, keeping only one 10for the interest and at the will of his employer. Is it true that any man is supremely devoted 11as you have made so much money? Did God tell you, when you professed to enter his service,12time in a busy season, and you will see they begin to divide. Some hesitate; some doubt;1315. Those who are doing but little for God, or who bring but little to pass for 141. See why so little is accomplished in the world for Jesus Christ.15Sabbath, or give your property for religious objects? You answer, "For the sake of promoting 16He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; he whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 17boldened by it to eat the sacrifices as such, or as an act of worship to the idol, supposing all 18"But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably: destroy 19I. To show some reasons why a man is criminals for doing that of which he doubts the 20question, or his honesty. There is, to lay the least that can be said, sufficient evidence to 214. It indicates slothfulness and stupidity of mind.22that the disease of intemperance (and intemperance, you know, is in reality a disease of the 23be the common food and drink of the country, the support of life to the body, and it answers 24After all that has been said on this subject, and all the light that has been thrown upon 255. Take the case of those indulgences of appetite which are subject of controversy, and 26another such party or make one, without doubting its lawfulness. Where can you find a 2710. Intermarriages of Christians with impenitent sinners.28are resolved to indulge in the use of wine and strong beer, and they will not listen to anything 29they wish to do it, to gratify themselves, and they had rather run the risk of doing wrong 30Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Leviticus 19:17.31expostulate earnestly with him, and not suffer him to destroy himself, if we could possibly 329. By reproving your neighbor who sins, you may save him.33day. No man keeps the law of God, or keeps his conscience clear, who sees sin and does not 34feet, and turn upon you in anger besides. It is lawful to let such men go on; and your not 35or relative circumstances of the parties, take away the obligation of this duty. Whatever be 36Sometimes it can be done best by sending a letter, especially if the person be at a distance.37there are so few speak out, that government despises them, and pays no attention. Thus it 38Generally not: for when a person is drunk he is deranged. There may be cases where it 39How often do transgressors tell faithful reprovers, they had better mind their own 40Who is on the Lord's side? Exodus 32:26.41So these persons who are the true friends of God and man, are ever ready to complain 42I will explain myself. There are two kinds of love: one is the love of benevolence. This 43you. Whatever appearance of religion you may have, you lack the leading and fundamental 447. This class of professing Christians are always distressed unless they see the work of 45much a matter of form as when the poor popish priest counts over his beads. Such a man 46nothing for the conversion of sinners, and floating along on the current of the world, and 47is easy to see who they are that are filled with the love of God and of souls, by the judgment 48And now, beloved, I asked you before God, have you these characteristics of a child of 49Who is on the Lord's side? Exodus 32:26.502. Their religious duties are performed as a task, and are not the result of the constraining 51the required amount of religious exercises, this satisfies them. Their conscience harasses 52himself by this plea: He did not know, he said, why he should be expected to be better than 53They lay great stress on the particular emotions which they have from time to time. If 54Precisely over against this, you will find the true friends of God and man more afraid 55contribution to impart happiness to themselves, instead of laying themselves out to bless 56the work to be much troubled with doubts. Their attention is not on that, but on something 57to do good, never enjoys any money he expends so well as that which he gives to promote 58over, to read the secular news, or the controversy, or something else. The other class, the 59But I find I am again obliged to omit the examination of the last class of professors till 60For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:48.61of men. They will not encounter the odium that they must, if they were to give themselves 62pharisees hypocrites, and he tells us that except our righteousness shall exceed theirs, we 63their acquaintances, or where they are known. But when they get where they are not known,64Many a man who is temperate at home, when he gets to a distance, will toss off his glass 65contrary to the interests of the kingdom of Christ, and yet they will not alter. They make it 66This is evident from the fact, that they will yield obedience only to those requirements 6713. They will yield to custom what they know to be injurious to the cause of religion, and 68favor of it as you please, there is only one way to reach this kind of people, and that is by 69and cry "Hosanna, Hosanna!" But observe, they never would follow him an atom farther 70face of public sentiment. And they are ready to brand as imprudent, or rash, any man or 71you must give yourselves wholly up to Christ. You cannot float along to heaven on the waves 72Be not conformed to this world. Romans 12:2.731. The first reason why we are not to be conformed to this world in business, is,743. These maxims, and the rules by which business is done in the world, are directly 756. It is this spirit of conformity to the world, that has already eaten out the love 76any farther than it can be a means of glorifying God. What do you think would be the effect?77often see professors of religion go to the extreme of the fashion. Nothing will satisfy them 78if they will, may innocently follow the fashions: (I deny that it is innocent, but suppose it 79not? She does not desire to do it. She will scarcely buy a pair of shoes for her feet; she grudges 80of fashion as themselves. They see, and say, "What does their profession amount to, when 81ever nominate such a character with any hope of success. But on the present system, where 82office as any others? The world must be fools to believe in a change of heart on such evidence.83Christians live as they ought, and the church would shake the world!. If Christians in New 84sort of reliance in the things of fashion, and set no value at all on them, but despise and 85abhorrence of the world is to follow along in the customs and the fashions of the world!86So may any good thing be abused. But that is no reason why it should not be used, if it 87I answer, thirdly, No such result will follow. Directly the reverse of this would be the 88living. Of what use is it to convert sinners, and make them such Christians as these? Of what 89For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh 90Instead of looking like a thing that is desirable or fascinating, it looks the very opposite,91sin must deserve everlasting punishment from God. He knows that this is a simple matter 92Of this you will be just as conscious as you ever were of a change of views and feelings 93And here I cannot but remark, that you see why the doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance 94by a thousand apologies and excuses, trying to smooth them over, and extenuate their 95sin, and when the occasion offered, they returned to it, as the sow that was washed to her 96for it or not. Show me such a man, and I tell you he don't need an express command to make 97rally them to a revival again. Directly over against this are those churches and individuals 981. We learn from what has been said, one reason why there is so much spasmodic 993. Here you see what is the matter with those professing Christians who think it 100love, then he falls a prey to temptation, and so he goes into sin. But he does not love it; it is 101If you are willing to give up your sins, you can signify it as I have named. But if you still 102He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10.103III. I am to prove the principle.104is dishonest in small matters, he is not strictly honest at all. Now, here are facts, which to 1056. He may restrain his dishonest propensities from mere self-righteousness, and act 106So an individual who will defraud the United States treasury of eighteen cents in postage 107a handful at a time. Now the individual that will do that, shows himself to be radically rotten 108If, for so little, he would lose sight of his integrity, and do a dishonest act, he is not too good 109practicing others, it is certain that it is not because he regards the authority of God, or hates 110would bring, or to show their spirit, and to face opposition. There is a natural spirit of ob-111he may be in his greater and more public transactions, he is mean end knavish in little 112Examine yourself whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. 2 Corinthians 13:5.113whether he is not himself a sinner, he cannot exhort with that confidence and simplicity,114If men, were shut up in dungeons, where they had no opportunity to act, and no chance 1152. Not by any direct attempt to force the feelings into exercise which are to afford the 116awaken feeling, it is impossible not to feel. The mind is so constituted that it cannot but feel.117of sin. There is not a wicked man on earth, that would not condemn and abhor sin, in the 118contact with the living reality of a sinner, reason with him, exhort him, find out his cavils,119wander with the fool's eyes, to the ends of the earth. The former is sometimes the case, and 120impenitent servant in the kitchen is not spoken to all day, and perhaps not in a month, to 121they rejected him, and finally put him to death, with as much cold-hearted cruelty as ever 122the Spirit of God. But he will come at it much more effectually by going to the place, and 123You may see a class of professors of religion who are always happy, and they are lovely 124Behold all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in 125modifications of benevolence. An individual who is converted is in this respect like God. I 126looks on the happiness of every individual according to its real importance, as far as he is 127the favor of God? He may just as well desire the conversion of souls, and labor to promote 128They may both love Christians: the true convert because he sees in them the image of 12914. Both may find pleasure in the duties of the closet. The true saint loves his closet, because 130or that a Christian is not benevolent like God, but is only seeking his own happiness, and 1314. If you are selfish, your enjoyment in religion will defend mainly on the strength of your 132The other purposes to be holy, because he knows that is the only way to be happy. The 133Answer. It is right to regard your own happiness according to its relative value. Put it 134Objection 2. "Did not Christ regard the joy set before him? And did not Moses also have 135Objection 4. "God aims at our happiness, and shall we be more benevolent than God?1361. We see, from this subject, why it is that professors of religion have such different views 137Submit yourselves therefore to God. James 4:7.138Some have supposed that true submission included the idea of being willing to be sinful 139having true submission to it. There are two ideas included in genuine submission, to which I 140great object. I suppose it to enjoin the duty of aiming at being Holy, and not at our own 141quoting and explaining passages to the same point, showing that all pure religion consists 142This objection is specious, but not sound. I deny the conclusion altogether. For,143Thus you see, that both the law and the gospel require disinterested benevolence, as the 1445. Finally, it requires submission to the terms of the gospel. The terms of the gospel are 145should come to me and ask, "What shall I do to be saved?" and I should tell him, "If you 146slander upon God, and charging God with perjury. Every man under the gospel, knows that 147Answer. The offer of mercy may be perverted, as every other good thing may be, and 148Seeketh not her own. 1 Corinthians 13:5.149Bible, that we are bound to regard our eternal interests as altogether of more consequence 150happiness of all other men, and the glory of God. And whether, if we do this, we act according 151glory, and the like. What was he seeking? Was it his own personal salvation? No. Was it his 152rendered love. "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my 153teaches us to regard things according to their real value. And if so, then to aim at and prefer 154could be no gratification to that person. He could pass right by him, and see him die. Then 155with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and God and thy neighbor infinitely less than 156to do good, they could not but be happy. If they choose happiness as an end, it flies before 157VI. Some will ask here, "What! are we to have no regard to our happiness, and if so, how 158even for a day or two, full of joy in God, without thinking of his own salvation. You ask him 159Knowing that a man is not justified by the work of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed 160I will now mention some of the prominent reasons which sinners are in the habit of 161intelligent universe will resound with the verdict of "not guilty." If you have not natural 162In which of these ways can any one of you be justified? Will you, dare you, take ground 163Who among you, then, can be justified by the law? Who has kept it? Who has got a 164justification by faith. But it should be borne in mind that Paul was combating the error of 165IV. I will now proceed to show the effect of this method of justification; or the 166I know when individuals are first broken down under a sense of sin, and their hearts 167penting, but that God never changes his mind when once he undertakes the salvation of a 168V. I am to show that this is justification by faith.169and they cannot be forgiven until you exercise saving faith. Therefore saving faith must be 170the scriptures." Mark that expression, "first of all." It proves that Paul preached that Christ 171Do you feel a sense of acceptance with God, of pardoned sin, of communion with God?172in being distrustful and unbelieving. It is important to your growth in grace. One reason 173of you? Have you confidence enough in Christ to leave yourself with him, to dispose of your 174Do are then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law. Romans 3:31.175hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,176to the object of getting away from the danger of the penalty, he tries to get up to heaven 177While the mind is looking only at the law, it only feels the influence of hope and fear,178in human nature. It exhibits his disinterestedness. The way Satan prevailed against our first 179and selfish. He sees that the government understands his motives, and that he is not really 180II. It is absurd to think that the offers of the gospel are calculated to beget a 181this way. Why is all this? The sinner needs to be driven off from this, and made to see that 182The Seventh Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.183II. I am to show the importance of a right understanding of this passage.184A moral agent is one who possesses understanding, will, and conscience. Conscience is 185And so to say, "I could not do so," when they only mean that they would not do it, and, they 1864. When you understand the point to which a person is speaking, you are to understand 187to Apollos, for your sakes: that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which 188law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? So then, if while her husband liveth, she 189"the law is spiritual but I am carnal." This word "carnal" he uses once, and only once, in 190but if this is his general character, how does it differ from that of an impenitent sinner? If 191of a Christian. He was vindicating the law, and therefore it was necessary for him to take 192(2.) Whether he spoke of himself, or of some other person, or merely supposed a case 193spirit of prayer, no communion with God, no evidence of adoption. They only refer to the 194Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48.195II. I am to show what Christian perfection is; or what is the duty actually required 196vation. But no part of the obligation of the law is discharged. The gospel holds those who 197There can be no question of this. What is perfection. It is to love the Lord our God with 198they are willing to give them up, and after all, are unwilling to give up all sins. When they 199they should repent at all, or love him at all, which is not a reason for believing that he wills 200blessing intended. It was holiness. So the apostle tells us, in another place, Jesus Christ was 201purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." And in Ephesians 5:26, we 202is to fill the earth, if it does not show that there is yet to be a universal triumph of the love 203reclaimed, and have entirely overcome this physical appetite. I have heard of cases, where 204that in this passage referred to, he is speaking of perfect sanctification, but rather of perfect 205of the church there have been numbers of Christians who were intelligent and upright, and 206the church in her present state. I believe if the whole could come to light, that it would be 207God may prefer your continued impenitence, and your damnation, to using any other influ-208to some promises which, if you would only get hold of and appropriate, you would know 209Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect Matthew 5:48.210religion held by modern Unitarians, this must be their system. Whether they understand it 2114. Another form of the religion of works is, where individuals perform works to beget 212is, that where faith and love are not in exercise, in proportion as persons abound in outward 213never really view Christ, under his name Jesus, because he saves his people from their sins.214When men undertake to help themselves out of sin, and feel strong in their own strength 215The fact is, Christians do not really believe much that is in the Bible. Now, suppose you 216under the teaching of God! The apostle says, "If any man think that he knoweth any thing,217purified, that the leaders of Israel may take hold of Christ for the sanctification of their own 218time of salvation. And as long as the Christian is seeking sanctification in the way of works,219no faith in the church. The minister saw that this way of proceeding was ruining the church,220VII. The growth of works in the church is not a certain sign of growth in holiness.221Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Who of God is made unto us 222ways, the natural influence of his example would have brought about such a state of things,223that grace (not justice,) has reckoned his righteousness to us. If he had obeyed the law strictly 224opinion on it. And if I have any right knowledge respecting its meaning, I am sure I have 225These two things, then are contained in the idea of wisdom. 1. As Christ is our repres-2263. In what sense is Christ made unto us sanctification?227Under this covenant of grace, our own works, or anything that we do, or can do, as 228and give up all wisdom of our own, and see how infinitely empty we are of any available 229emptiness of the world, of reputation, riches, honor, and pleasure. To expect this first, pre-230the cause, and faith the remedy. If you lay hold on Christ, and keep hold, all the devils in 231Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will 232being. He knows, by experience, what love is, for he has exercised love towards different 233to subdue their rebellious hearts and bring them voluntarily to obey God. This is available 234to give us a description of the world he had left. We should understand it according to our 235The Bible says, "No man can say that Jesus Christ is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Now 236The manner in which the Spirit of God does this, is what we can never know in this 237you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;238tears and a heart full of joy, she said, "When I loved God, I longed to read the Bible, and I 239means for obtaining knowledge. To those who have the opportunity, "faith cometh by 240I. You see what is the effect of all other instructions on a congregation where no divine 241they are no more fit to teach without divine teaching, than the most ignorant person in the 242VII. How little knowledge have the great body of the church respecting the word of God 243Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10.244guided and be governed by it, constantly, in all his actions, without any felt emotion of love 245exercises of his love to the general happiness of his kingdom. So it is in man. All that is good 2464. It is not essential to perfect love, that there should be the same degree of the spirit of 247V. I am to mention some of the effects of perfect love.248would be no virtue as it respects her husband. If a person loves God, as soon as he knows 249but to glorify God. He is willing to live, here or any where else, and suffer and labor a 250always a sign of pride. If a person is full of love, it is impossible to make him exercise sinful 251neighbor with an unbridled tongue, to injure his neighbor, deceives himself, if he thinks he 252How much excitement that passes for religion, has no love. How much zeal has no reli-253Is it not a worthy object? He came to destroy the works of the devil; and this is the way

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